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Air Force Materiel Command

A U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft takes off and flies for the first time Feb. 4, 2011. The aircraft flew for 29 minutes during the flight test. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Densmore)

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An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft flies high over Edwards Feb. 4, 2011, while making its first flight. The X-47 climbed to an altitude of 5,000 feet and flew several racetrack-type patterns for 29 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bobbi Zapka)

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X-47B performs first flight at Edwards

Published Feb. 7, 2011

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Edwards became the site of another first when Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy successfully conducted the first flight of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft here Feb. 4, 2011.

The fighter-size unmanned aircraft took off at 2:09 p.m. and successfully flew the 29 minutes that was planned for its first test flight. This event marks a critical step in the program, moving the team forward to meet the demonstration objectives of a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft to safely take off from and land on the deck of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

Taking off under hazy skies, the X-47B climbed to an altitude of 5,000 feet, flew several racetrack-type patterns, and landed safely at 2:38 p.m. PST. The flight provided test data to verify and validate system software for guidance and navigation, and the aerodynamic control of the tailless design.